Lawmakers send lumber tax bill to governor

SACRAMENTO, CA (AP) - A bill that would impose a tax on lumber sales squeaked out of the Legislature during the last hours of the session and is on its way to Gov. Jerry Brown.

Both houses approved a far-reaching forestry bill on party-line votes early Saturday morning, shortly before adjourning for the year.

AB1492 would impose a 1 percent sales tax increase on lumber products while limiting the amount timber companies and other landowners must pay if they spark a wildfire. The tax is expected to fund increased regulation of the timber industry.

The bill required two-thirds support in each house, barely reaching that threshold in the Assembly after passing the Senate.

The California timber industry supported the bill, but some Republicans opposed it because of their general opposition to new taxes.